Ombré hair fades gradually from darker roots to lighter ends. Most versions keep your natural color at the root, so the look grows out softly. It also works on almost any length or texture, from blunt lobs and long waves to coils, locs, and braids.
Expect a salon service. A colorist usually lightens the lengths, then tones them with a dye or gloss. Keeping the contrast close to your natural shade means fewer touch-ups. Between visits, color-safe shampoo keeps the fade bright, while icy, pastel, and vivid ends need refreshing more often.
The 40 looks below run from subtle brunette and sombré fades through honey and icy blondes to copper, pastel, and bold brights, plus one reverse ombré. Save your favorites to show your colorist, or compare ombré with other types of hair coloring first.
1. Brown-to-Golden-Blonde Half-Up Curls
You will certainly love this creamy marvelous look if you want stunning ombre hair! It creates a wonderful gradient with the natural dark brown hair. Do a middle part, and pin the crown hair in the back for a romantic look. Loosely wave the blonde caramel section of your hair.
2. Black-to-Golden-Blonde Ponytail
To build this amazing ponytail, you can as well use hair extensions. Use a comb with thin bristles or even a toothbrush to create that flawless appearance. Once you’ve pinned the hair in a pony, combine different types of braiding techniques to highlight the gradient.
3. Brown-to-Blonde Blunt Lob
When you choose a gradient ombre, you can feel confident with your dark straight hair, as it will have a sun-kissed glow, even if it’s not summer!
4. Blonde Dreadlocks
Blonde is one of the most loveable preferences among girls with black hair. This Ombre shade takes real lightening to achieve on darker hair, though keeping the color to the ends involves less bleaching than a full blonde. Girls with a light skin tone can opt for this color to add warmness to their complexion.
5. Golden-Tipped Twist Updo
Afro hair updo looks awesome with blonde Ombre as it provides natural and subtle features to hair texture. Embrace your natural afro texture by pairing it up with dirty blonde tips to add depth to each hair coil.
6. Silver Blue Hair
We recommend you go to a salon if you want your transition from dark roots to a silver indigo color to look this spectacular. Creating this amazing nuance requires bleach, and you don’t want to take any risks. Once you have your color, go for loose curls that provide more texture and volume.
7. Icy Ombre
Icy blonde shades are extremely popular but before going on this route, you need to know that the color will need frequent touch-ups and hair salon appointments. Also, using purple shampoo is necessary because it will better maintain the icy nuance.
8. Platinum Ombre High Ponytail
Platinum blonde color has the capacity to take the Ombre hair game to the next level. This icy blonde looks cool and relaxing to the eyes. It can be a perfect choice to wear for winters and summer as well because of its bright look. The high invisible ponytail will complement this hair color.
9. Butterscotch and Light Blonde
Different shades of blonde look amazing together. If you have natural black or dark brown locks, then you need to choose the darkest shade of blonde to use on top. Butterscotch will do.
10. Ash-Blonde Ombre with Curled Ends
If you are naturally a dark blond, you can make a truly impressive hair color by lightening up just the bottom part of your hair. Shades of blonde such as ash and walnut mist look wonderful together.
11. White Ombre Half-Up Twist
White ombre is quite hot and this is one trend you need to try. This color shows up best on hair that is already a couple of shades darker than white, so avoid using it on light blonde hair.
12. Black-to-Beige Blonde Layers
Asian women will appreciate how great blonde looks on their dark hair. Choose a medium or light blonde for best results and start the ombre a bit above the middle of the hair.
13. Curly Magenta Pixie Bob
You can get ombre hair even if you have short tresses and it will still look mesmerizing. Get a pixie bob haircut and style a gradient that uses brown hair with magenta hues and transitions to a more electric nuance. Use bobby pins to secure one side and curl the hair to build more volume and a modern look.
14. Brown-to-Pink Voluminous Curls
If you have fair skin with pink undertones, a pink gradient is the way to go. You can use semipermanent dye or even a colored hairspray if you don’t want the color to last for a long time. Style curls and comb them to obtain that frizz.
15. Smoky Purple Ombre with Bangs
One thing is certain, dark purple hues look marvelous when combined with natural dark brown roots. You must do the transition between the colors gradually. Go for straight bangs that cover the eyebrows and slightly wave your long hair.
16. Lavender Hair
Lavender is one of the softest colors you could choose for hair color. It pairs perfectly with blonde hair and stuns as an ombre on waves.
17. Green-to-Pink Ombre Bob
This cute short haircut with ombre is a fun way to bring out your adventurous side. A sea-green blends with purple and pink for a creative clash of colors.
18. Pink Ombre Ringlets
There’s no reason your curls shouldn’t stand out when they’re this full and luscious! Give them a pop of pink for a flirty, feminine twist.
19. Fuchsia-Tipped Undercut Bob
This vivid pink ombre is unexpected but works amazingly well on an edgy undercut bob. This color is artistic yet remains professional enough to sport to the office.
20. Pink and Purple Ombre
Longing for the days of Lisa Frank? Take that childhood nostalgia and apply it to your hair! Large ringlets of pink and purple ombre top off this long hairstyle, making a statement look you’ll love showing off.
21. Lavender Ombre Space Buns with Reverse Braids
This cool-toned, pastel Ombre offers imposing features when adorned with space buns and braids. The incorporation of silver into pastel purple hue looks fantastical on the black base.
22. Blue-and-Lavender Ombre Waves
If we talk about the fashion-forward solution that will fulfill your desire to achieve a versatile look then, Ombre coloring would be our immediate answer. Having black hair can provide you the limitless color options to try. This particular combo includes the gradual transition of black color into a silver hue. It also features the plum highlights and pastel blue hair.
23. Pastel Pink and Blonde
The soft pink lowlights and the golden blonde top is such a polished and artistic way to give yourself a graceful appearance with the light and warm ombre color combo. Sure, this soft wavy hair texture shows off the color’s dimension artfully.
24. Lavender Ombre Cornrows
Black roots blend through violet into pale lavender on thick cornrows that continue into long braids. For a finer braided texture, the same dark-to-light color idea can be used with micro braids.
25. Auburn-Tipped Curls
Using a great conditioner and a nourishing mask will make your hair look soft and silky. Also, it is important to regularly trim the ends so they won’t get that frizzy aspect. This way, a chocolate gradient will look just like a shot from a shampoo commercial.
26. Feathered Copper Ombre
Create a stunning brown ombre with copper hues and layer that long mane. Getting such a haircut will help you build more volume when styling the tresses. Use a wide rotative brush to create those gorgeous waves.
27. Black Ombre
Most women love to lighten their hair towards the ends but if you love less common looks and want to be innovative, opting for a jet black color is certainly an idea you must try. So keep your natural nuance and transition to a dark hair color towards the ends.
28. Sombre
A sombre is a transition from a hair color to another similar nuance. It is a more natural approach to the regular ombre. So if you’re aiming for a romantic look, simply lighten the tips and wave them to build more texture.
29. Coily Bob with Warm-Brown Ends
Show off your gorgeous natural curls by trying a light brown ombre. This color looks super natural on black hair like you’ve been laying out in the sun and just happened to get gorgeous color.
30. Brown, Red and Rose
Brown, Auburn, and red are popular color combinations for girls who like Ombres. Make your hair even more unique by adding an unexpected color on the very bottom. Rosy red is a good choice.
31. Red-to-Copper Ombre Waves
Go for a deep red color that turns into a blonde copper nuance. Create wide curls for a glamorous touch. Also, remember that you will need special shampoo and conditioner for dyed hair and a mask that preserves this fierce red hue.
32. Black-to-Red Box Braids
Sometimes having simple long hair without any dimension looks dull and lifeless. So, if you want to add life to your tresses and attire, you can choose micro braid crochet for an effortlessly glamorous appearance. A bleeding red Ombre will complement the black micro braided base even more.
33. Flaming Orange Ombre
In this look, the dark brown hair blends into a fiery orange gradient, classily. The choppy layers give this flaming color more movement. Exaggerate your looks by a copper highlighted head crown for queenly vibes.
34. Red-Copper and Blonde
If you are ready to go for a red color mix, there is nothing that can stop you. Start with simple blonde on the bottom and go up to explore such appealing shades as red or copper.
35. Cherry-to-Ginger Waves with Baby Bangs
Cherry and ginger hair mix is a wonderful way to outline your facial features. Keep the cherry on top and just above the ears and then apply fiery ginger on the rest of your locks for amazing contrast.
36. Yellow Ombre
Are you looking for something funkier than the usual red, brown or blonde Ombre hair color? This vibrant yellow color idea is particularly for you. The yellow color looks awesome with black hair base.
37. Lemon Green
If you love standing out at any event or party, mix earthy colors like lemon and green when you are styling your ombre. The two shades work together fabulously and will make you fall in love with this look.
38. Turquoise-to-Rose Blonde Ombre
Enjoy an image change with a hair color that features outrageous hues. There is no limit to where your imagination can go when choosing the shades for the top or bottom of your amazing ombre.
39. Black-to-Blue Ombre Curls
While blue hair color might seem outrageous at first, a closer look can reveal an innovative solution. If you are afraid of drastic changes, use a temporary hair dye to enjoy the effect.
40. Emerald Green Ombre
Express your love for green color by opting for regal emerald green hair color with black roots. Show the hidden darker roots by styling your hair into a half up and half down hairstyle.
What Is Ombré Hair?
Also known as a gradient hair color, ombré hair is usually characterized by darker roots and lighter ends. In French, ombré means shadow or shade, which gives this impression of a gradual change of hair color.
How To Do Ombré Hair
Ombré is a two-part color service: the lower lengths are lightened first, then the tone is refined with a dye or gloss. Most people choose a lighter shade of brown, a red or auburn shade, or a shade of blonde for the ends. Staying within one or two shades of your natural color keeps the blend soft and cuts down on touch-ups, and starting the fade around the middle of the hair means grown-out roots never become an issue.
The lightening itself is a job for the salon. A colorist will pick the right developer strength (usually a gentle volume of 10 or 20), section the hair with clips, feather the lightener through the ends for a seamless line, and judge the processing by watching the strand instead of the clock. If you are curious about the chemistry, our guide to how developer lightens hair explains what happens, but the mixing and application belong in professional hands.
What you can own at home is everything around the appointment. If your hair is turning gray, a semi-permanent gloss blends the roots gently between salon visits, and washing with a sulfate-free shampoo keeps both the ombré and your natural shade bright.
Hair Color Maintenance
Now that you have a gorgeous new look, how can you keep it fresh? Like with any hair dyeing technique, you’ll want to wash your hair less often. When you do wash, use color-protecting shampoos and conditioners. It’s also wise to limit how often you curl or straighten your hair, as this can cause the color to fade faster.
Ombré vs Sombré
Sombré is a more muted or softer version of ombré. Both looks can be created using balayage, a freehand application technique. Sombré has a softer, lower-contrast transition than ombré. The lightened ends of a sombré hairstyle blend more smoothly with the roots.
The goal of the softer one is to have a sun-kissed look with texture and dimension.
The effortless beauty of ombré hair has captivated women worldwide and has even reached some men. You can style your hair in a fancy updo, or ponytail, or let it fall naturally. You can wear it with curls, waves, or straight hair.
With little maintenance required, it is no wonder why so many people have hung onto this trend for decades. The stunning contrast of gradient ombré has certainly left its mark in the 2000s.
